bus pass and ticket information
The College works in partnership with Cornwall Council and Sustrans to promote active and sustainable travel and for many students bus travel remains the most popular choice.
Truro and Penwith College students travel on an enhanced public bus service that includes more services and more direct routes straight to our campuses making it easier for students to arrive at college later or leave earlier if their timetable allows.
All transport to college bus passes are purchased via the First Bus Travel App and honoured by First Bus & Transport for Cornwall, so can be used on all services regardless of the operator. These include Go Cornwall Bus, Cornwall by Kernow (First), and OTS.Â
*Public bus networks are subject to change. Please check carefully before you purchase your pass/tickets. Bus providers usually release their latest College travel guides and timetables after GCSE Results Day. We do not hold information on Cornwall College or Callywith College’s arrangements.Â
our 16-18 student travel bursary
We understand that many students travel a long distance to college and that the costs of travel are high. The College can help most students with the costs of travel*.
Any learner eligible for financial support through the travel bursary will be issued with a First Kernow bus pass. Please note that this pass will be honoured by Transport for Cornwall, so can be used on all services regardless of operator.
Your bursary application will be based on information provided, together with evidence of household income which should accompany your application.
Termly instalments are due before 07 September, 02 January and 15 April. Instalments not paid by the start of each term may be cancelled and a repurchase may be necessary.
*On application and dependent upon a minimum of 90% attendance each term for help in the following term.
student travel bursary rates
Bursary rates shown are for the 2023/24 year only. Contribution rates are based on anticipated bus pass costs charged by the bus company which are subject to annual increases. The bus pass for the academic year 2023/24 will cost £650 prior to any contribution rate being applied.
If your household income is below £70,000 you can apply for a bursary to pay for some or most of your travel costs. Please see below for further details:
A. For Household Income under £21,000: Pay £100 per year for the bus pass. This can be paid termly through the portal after the 25th August as follows: Autumn term £50, Spring term £25, Summer term £25.
B. For Household Income £22,001 - £31,000: Pay £150 per year for the bus pass. This can be paid termly through the portal after the 25th August as follows: Autumn term £70, Spring term £40, Summer term £40.
C. For Household Income £31,001 - £70,000: Pay £300 per year for the bus pass. This can be paid termly through the portal after the 25th August as follows: Autumn term £130, Spring term £85, Summer term £85.
applying for your bursary & bus pass
To apply for your bursary and bus pass simply follow steps 1-4 below. The following resources are available to support you with your application and the College's friendly Student Services team is available to help; Truro College and STEM & Health Skills Centre, Bodmin | Penwith College.
Truro College and STEM & Health Skills Centre, Bodmin
*Please specify if you are studying at Truro or Bodmin when completing your application*
Bursary Application Form - Microsoft Word (Truro College and STEM & HS Centre)
Bursary Application Form - PDF (Truro College and STEM & HS Centre)
Guidance Notes (Truro College and STEM & HS Centre)
Penwith College
Bursary Application Form - Microsoft Word (Penwith College)
Step 1
Complete the Bursary Application form for your campus (above) and return it by email to the Student Services team at the appropriate campus: Truro College and STEM & Health Skills Centre, Bodmin | Penwith College.
If you are due to study at the new STEM & Health Skills Centre, Bodmin, please specify this on your application form and email.
You must attach evidence of your household income with your completed Bursary Application Form, see the Guidance documents above for further information.
Once you have received approval of your bursary (usually within two-weeks) proceed to Step 2 to purchase your bus pass. The portal for payments will open after GCSE Results Day each year.
Step 2
If you are a parent / carer paying on behalf of a student, visit the College Portal and either log-in to your existing account or create an External User Account. Once your account is created (you should receive notification within 48-hours) proceed to Step 3.
Step 3
You can now make your bus pass payment via the 'View Available Items' tab on the College's payment portal to receive a unique code.
Step 4
This code should be used through the First Bus Travel smartphone App to receive your subsidised bus pass. Please follow the instructions in the College Travel Guide to activate your ticket.
Important: The unique code should only be entered onto the First app on the phone of the person who will be using the bus pass, bursary supported tickets are not transferable between devices.
All transport to college bus passes are purchased via the First Bus Travel App and honoured by First Bus & Transport for Cornwall, so can be used on all services regardless of the operator. These include Go Cornwall Bus, Cornwall by Kernow (First), and OTS.Â
bus pass and transport bursary advice:
Truro College transport desk:Â 01872 305702
Penwith College transport desk:Â 01736 809407
